Our eyes allow us to interact with the world around us every day and are a vital part of daily life. In fact, many studies show that our sense of sight is responsible for most of the information we absorb from our five combined senses. By taking care of your eyes today, you are ensuring you will see your best for years to come. Here are some reasons why comprehensive annual eye exams are so important.

Eye exams help children succeed in school, and can help diagnose and treat visual conditions early.
During the school-age years, 80% of the information presented for a child’s learning requires good vision. By scheduling a yearly comprehensive eye exam, you are ensuring your child sees clearly and comfortably in the classroom. Even more, an eye exam is the only way to know for sure if your child is able to see their best for sports and other activities. Additionally, if there are any visual difficulties or concerns, these can be diagnosed and a treatment plan can be established early.

Myopia is increasing at all ages
Myopia, or nearsightedness, is being diagnosed more than ever before, and at an earlier age, too. Children who become nearsighted early in life tend to experience a worsening progression of nearsightedness throughout childhood. This progression puts them at a higher risk of developing cataracts, glaucoma, and retinal detachment later in life. There are many available treatment options to manage this condition in childhood and slow the progression of myopia.

However, myopia is increasing in all ages, and an annual comprehensive exam can monitor any progression. Currently, about 42% of Americans are nearsighted, up from 25% in 1971. When detected early, you and your eye doctor can dramatically slow the progression of myopia and decrease the chances of developing eye problems down the road.

Glaucoma does not present symptoms in the early stages.
Many people who develop glaucoma often don’t show symptoms at first. These individuals usually develop vision loss before they have learned that something is wrong with their eyes. This type of vision loss is irreversible if caught too late. With a routine exam, your optometrist can detect high eye pressure and other early signs of glaucoma before any serious damage to your vision occurs.
 

Annual eye exams can help detect other health issues.
An eye exam can detect other health-related issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and even cancer. During your exam, your eye doctor will evaluate the health and condition of the blood vessels in your retina, which are predictors of the health of blood vessels throughout your entire body. By scheduling a yearly comprehensive eye exam, you can reduce your risk for diabetes, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia.

January is a great time to schedule your eye exam! Contact our office today to schedule your appointment!